I’m finally home. Blogger has eaten two of my posts. I give up. I’ll be back when my jet lag is manageable and blogger is being nice.

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Okay, let me try one more time. We’ve been home a little less than 24 hours. I went to bed at 9:00 last night and woke up at about 5:50 (was woken up twice during that time since the kids are still on EST).

It was emotional to let go of my east coast experience–much more than I ever would have imagined. Being there was hard work. There were weeks when I was functioning as a single mom–working long days and coming home to put the kids to bed by myself and then do my “homework” for the next day. I missed my husband. The kids missed their Dad. On the other hand, we all thrived. The challenge was good for me. “Life changing” sounds too dramatic, but I think it WAS in a quiet sense life changing. Time will tell. I have been in a bubble here for several years, and I feel reconnected to the adventerous person that I was before children. And maybe I can be a historian again, on my own terms this time. I’ve been inspired to start writing again, on that front. I’ve got new friends encouraging me to “stay the course” and finish my book.

And my kids–why they’ve grown miles, too. Hannah is talking–not “kinda” talking, but putting three word sentences together with words that actually somewhat resemble the intended words. She’s a real kid. Rachel misses her cousins already, but we’re already getting phone calls for playdates, and that should fill the void a sliver or two.

It sure feels good to be back in my own bed, with my wonderful husband, and in a house that is child-proofed.

We will ALWAYS remember our 2005 summer adventure. At least Rachel, Dad and I will. If Hannah doesn’t, we’ve got lots of pictures to show her. The joy on her face will tell the story.